Catch crops utilise residual nutrients in the soil following the harvest of a cereal or oilseed crop, thus maintaining soil biology and preventing leaching of soluble nutrients such as nitrate.

The Annual Declaration Form for the Catchment/Cover Crop Measure 6A & 6B is a required document for participants in the agri-environment schemes under these measures. It is used to confirm that the specified environmental actions—such as the establishment and maintenance of catch or cover crops—have been carried out in line with scheme requirements.

This form ensures compliance with programme guidelines and supports continued eligibility for funding or support under the relevant rural development or environmental stewardship schemes.

Requirements:

1. Familiarisation with Requirements

• Applicants must ensure they are familiar with all details outlined in the Farming for Water EIP Measures Information Booklet.

2. Declaration Submission

• It is the applicant’s responsibility to submit the Annual Declaration Claim for funding of Measures 6A and 6B through the Farming for Water EIP online portal.

3. Declaration Deadlines

4. Payment Conditions

• Payment will be based on the lesser of:

a) The declared area in your submission, or

b) The area deemed eligible by the Farming for Water EIP Project Team.

• Minimum eligible area: 0.5 hectares
• Maximum payable area: 40 hectares (combined total from Measures 6A and 6B)

5. Inspections & Verification

• The Farming for Water EIP reserves the right to inspect applicants as per EIP terms and conditions.
• DAFM AMS technology may be used to verify sowing of cover/catch crops.

6. Environmental Considerations

• Where possible, applicants should sow catch crops in parcels with the highest risk of nutrient and sediment loss.
• Use the Pollution Impact Potential (PIP) maps available at EPA Agriculture Maps to identify high-risk parcels.

7. Payment Process

• Once all requirements are fulfilled and verification is complete, payment will be issued within four weeks.
• Payments will be made via electronic funds transfer to the bank account provided in your application.
• A remittance email will be sent from Tipperary County Council’s Finance Section with the reference ‘FarmingForWater’.

8. Further Information

Visit www.farmingforwater.ie or contact your local ASSAP advisor.

Useful Resources:

Link to Declaration Form: Annual Declaration Form for the Catch / Cover Crop Measure 6A & 6B

Learn more about this measure: Catch Crops Measure PDF

Listen to Teagasc Catchment Coordinator for the Slaney, Neilus Noonan, speaking about the Catch Crop Pilot Measure on Teagasc’s podcast The Environment Edge.

Check out Teagasc’s The Signpost Series Webinars for more information on:

• Farmer Practicalities of Growing Catch Crops
• Catch Crops – What does the research say?